Arkansas Tech University student Rose Gunther captured first place in a business pitch competition that concluded with presentations before a panel of judges at Co-Create Innovation Hub in Russellville on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Gunther’s idea for an agricultural drone service that would help crop row farmers maximize yields on the periphery of their fields won over the judging panel.
Ian Bryan, vice president for commercial lending at First State Bank; James Guhl, director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center regional office at ATU; Danielle Housenick, executive director of Main Street Russellville; and Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman, ATU professor of sociology and director of the ATU Center for Community Engagement and Academic Outreach, selected Gunther’s concept as the best among all of the business ideas put forth by students in Cass Capen-Housley’s Entrepreneurial Management class for the fall 2025 semester.
Gunther, a senior from Bigelow, plans on entering her business idea in the 2026 ACC Capital Governor’s Cup collegiate business plan competition, a statewide initiative that encourages entrepreneurship.
Second place in the ATU business pitch competition finals on Dec. 9 went to Taegen Duvall of Atkins and her idea for an app to help bowlers improve their scores. Tyriq Taiwo of London, England, earned third place with an app that would utilize artificial intelligence to help athletes maximize their training.
Learn more about the ATU College of Business and Economic Development at www.atu.edu/business.
